Pizza Hut Launches Killer App for Your Appetite
Customers Can Download First Pizza Ordering App for Free
Dallas, TX (July 15, 2009) — iPhone and iPod touch users now have a way to satisfy their appetite for America’s Favorite Pizza with a new application on the App Store. Starting today, iPhone and iPod touch users can order Pizza Hut menu items directly from their devices via the free application.
"As more of our customers are integrating the iPhone and iPod touch into their everyday lives, Pizza Hut wants to be right there with them," said Brian Niccol, Pizza Hut CMO. "As a longtime category leader in innovation, creating an App Store application is just one more way we are helping customers place orders in a way that best fits their mobile lifestyle."
The new App is not only a convenient way to order from Pizza Hut – it's an entertaining way to place your order. The App uses innovative iPhone and iPod touch features including the Multi-touch user interface and accelerometer to make ordering each individual menu item a fun and customized experience.
When Ordering Pizza
The pizza ordering section allows consumers to virtually build their own pizza by choosing a type of crust in the scroll wheel, "pinching" to select size, and dragging-and-dropping toppings onto the pizza, all with visual confirmation. If an overeager pizza customer adds too many toppings, the pizza explodes and toppings go flying across the screen with an alert to make their pizza happier with fewer toppings. Toppings are easily deleted by clicking them in a generated text list. To customize for half and half, users tilt the phone left or right and the toppings move to one side or the other. When finished, the user sees a visual representation of what their pizza will look like.
When Ordering WingStreet Wings
The section used to order WingStreet wings starts with a bowl of wings that changes as users choose the type of wings they want. Next they select a sauce and are prompted to "cook their wings" by shaking their iPhone or iPod touch until the wings are covered. Shake too long and the sauce flies across the screen. As with the pizza ordering, customers finish with a representation of the wings order.
When Ordering Tuscani Pastas
The App has a virtual waiter on call to take your Tuscani Pastas order. You can select from four delicious varieties including Meaty Marinara, Creamy Chicken Alfredo, Premium Bacon Mac 'N Cheese and Lasagna.
When Waiting for Delivery, Pizza Hut Racer Entertains
Pizza Hut has also given consumers a way to pass the time as they wait for their pizza with a game called Pizza Hut Racer. Pizza Hut Racer challenges users to deliver a pizza quickly while avoiding obstacles in the road. The pizza delivery car speeds up or slows down depending upon the angle of the device, and vibrations and beeps alert users when the driver hits the curb or runs into obstacles.
Deals
The App's deals section displays coupons stuck on a refrigerator door, just like your fridge at home. Customers can pinch to zoom in and out to view various deals then click on a coupon to place an order using that deal.
The Pizza Hut App for iPhone and iPod touch is the latest way the company is paving the way for innovation in the digital space. In January 2008, Pizza Hut pioneered mobile phone ordering with the launch of Total Mobile Access, a service that allows customers to order pizza from their mobile phones via text messaging or mobile Web. Earlier this year, Pizza Hut launched a new Facebook application that allows customers to seamlessly order their Pizza Hut favorites while logged into Facebook platform.
The Pizza Hut App is available from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at itunes.com/appstore/. For more information on Pizza Hut, log on to pizzahut.com, or interact with Pizza Hut at facebook.com/pizzahut and twitter.com/pizzahut.
About Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut, America's Favorite Pizza, delivers more pizza, pasta and wings than any other restaurant. A shining example of success in American entrepreneurism, the company began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas and today operates more than 10,000 restaurants in hundreds of countries. Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM). To check out what's new at Pizza Hut visit pizzahut.com.
